Is Rob Elliot a keeper?

rob-elliotAfter some impressive displays in goal, confidence has been growing in Rob Elliot of late. I for one feel quite comfortable with him in goal and I thought I would look a little in depth at two of our keepers. I am starting with Tim Krul who has been a loyal servant to Newcastle United.

Tim Krul (Dutch)

Tim is 27, he is 6’2″ (1.88m) tall and weighs 11st 6lb (72.56kg)

Tim was signed in July 2006 as a trainee, he’s had loan spells at Falkirk Aug 07 – Jan 08 making 22 appearances in the league, 4 in the cups followed by a loan to Carlisle Nov 08 – Jan 09 making 9 appearances in all competitions.

Tim broke into Newcastle united’s senior team in season 2010/11 after an injury to Steve Harper, eventually usurping him as number one choice. Tim played a full part in season 2011/12 but an injury plagued season 2012/13 saw him only play 24 games for Newcastle. In the 2013/14 season he was only 2 games short of a full season when a knee injury struck. Season 2014/15 saw him make 30 appearances and sadly for Tim this season was cut short after a season ending injury after just 8 appearances. Tim has made a total of 152 appearances for Newcastle in the Premier league, 6 in the FA cup and 11 in the capital one cup. He has made 8 in the UEFA cup and played 8 times for the Netherlands.

I will stick to his statistics for this season when comparing to Rob Elliot as appearances to date are not that far apart 8 and 13 respectively.

Tim Krul Stats;

This season Tim has made 8 appearances and he has made 34 saves facing 145 shots of which 50 were on goal. He has one clean sheet in 720 minutes played. He has conceded 17 goals and his save percentage is 66.7.

Tim’s positioning is quite good. His kicking isn’t too bad, though he prefers his left foot. For me his main fault is that he punches the ball away when he should be making the catch. This puts us under undue pressure in my opinion. He has pretty good reflexes and he jumps well enough. Like Elliot, he dives well too but he isn’t too hot on stopping long range shots and we have fallen foul to a few this season. Right now I don’t feel he has as much strength as Elliot but that could be injuries taking their toll.

Rob Elliot (English)

Rob at 29 is two years older than Krul and will be 30 in April 2016, funny he seemed younger than that to me. He is 6’3″ (1.90m) and weighs 96kg.

His youth career started at Erith Town and he turned professional in 2004 with Charlton Athletic who he made 96 appearances with from 2004-2011. He had loan spells with Bishops Stortford (6 apps), Notts County (4 apps) and Accrington Stanley (30 apps) over two loan spells.

In August 2011 he signed for Newcastle on a 5 year contract making his debut on 20th September in the league cup. His first Premier League start was in the 2012/2013 season against Southampton after an injury to Tim Krul, conceding a goal in the 3rd minute.

This season had seen Elliot become 3rd choice keeper behind Karl Darlow but when Tim suffered a season ending injury, Darlow had an ankle knock and Elliot was called into action. We were close to losing Elliot who wanted first team football but luckily for us he stayed and he actually signed a new long term contract back in January 2014. He made his first appearance this season on October 18th against Norwich City, a game we won 6.2.

Rob Elliot stats;

Rob has played 13 Premier League games to date and he has made 42 saves facing 189 shots, of which 63 were on goal. He has 3 clean sheets in 1170 minutes played and has conceded 21 goals. Interestingly his save percentage is exactly the same as Tim Krul’s at 66.7 though he has played more minutes than Tim.

So the question is, who is the better keeper? Is Rob now a keeper as it were or is it too early to tell? Tim’s weakness is saving long shots but his long passing is good and he rarely commits a foul. Elliot commands the box well and is seemingly unflappable when dealing crosses, catching the ball well more often than not. Both keepers would appear to have good reflexes and agility. Both dive well and in truth there is little to separate them other than Tim’s tendency to punch. They both seem strong and vocal and both have had to suffer a very poor defense in front of them for long periods, though the signs are that the defense have picked up of late.So my final thoughts would be this;

For me I’m finding it hard to split them, though i am tending to go with Elliot purely based on the fact he doesn’t punch as much as Krul and seems less flappable, at least for now. It will be a fair while before we see Tim back in action and even when fit he will take time to regain match fitness – so we have Rob in the first team for a fair while yet. It is also clear to me that Darlow is not quite ready to be a regular Premier League starter yet so we should be looking to bring in a loan keeper to back up Elliot until Krul’s return.

What are your thoughts on Tim and Rob, I would love to hear.

Kimtoon

466 thoughts on “Is Rob Elliot a keeper?

  1. Hes a finisher, I think if west brom had carried on picking footballing mangers he’d be at a champions league club.

    If we keep on creating chances like we have in recent weeks he’d get a hatful.

    I still think we’ll stay up anyway but he would help

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  2. Stu@359 – Ah, see what you mean, I thought you were just comparing the two as players. I guess Lukaku hadn’t done much, but his name was doing the round since he was 18 and he was actually a successful player back then with some pedigree, whereas no English player ever seems to come good until they get regular playing time in their twenties.

    Ice – I’d thought about Vidic but wasn’t sure about his fitness situation, as he’s not played this season. Big wages but if he came in at the right time and saved us then it’d be worth it until the end of the season…I think Mbemba and Colo are good enough to see us safe as long as we score goals, and that’s why I’d make Remy the priority – we’ve scored in the last few games but Not convinced Mitro can handle it all this season. What happens to us if Gini gets injured… 😕

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  3. He’s a young pup who scored 20 goals last season and has scored 5 this season and he’s hardly played.

    Sharpy – The Sterling transfer is just one of many where young players (mainly English) have been transferred for very high fees. Also look at our predicament; Cisse injured, Toney injured, Riviere – oops, Mitro struggling for goals, were in the bottom three and next season is the biggest TV deal in history. We really have very little leverage to use in our favour which makes it a case of the selling clubs telling us “Pay what we want, or risk going down”

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  4. Stu – I agree. You’ll see in my post to Newkie earlier that my preference would be to pay up for both Townsend & Berahino and get some PL experience in there.
    But I don’t see the club folking out close to £40m on those 2 players to meet the asking prices.
    They need to do something though coz despite how well we’ve been playing we haven’t been converting our chances. Mitrovic has admitted finding it difficult, and it must be effecting him with each missed chance. If I were his manager I’d be hearing that and getting him help.

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  5. Sharpy – We’d best get a win, they are looking average and they’ve were woeful in their last showing against a poor Swansea side. They were lucky to get the win over us beforehand so we need to dish it back.

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  6. If the game tomorrow goes scientifically then we should win. We’re on the up, they’re on the down. Fancy it might be a draw though as we haven’t solved our goal scoring issues yet.

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  7. Ice, the lad must of thrown his toys out the pram then as I can’t see Levy liking that one bit. Where did you here that?

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  8. I can’t believe our Steve would do the dirty on the Toon like that after so long with us. He could have got a job anywhere else but he chose the Scum.

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  9. Harper’s from easington. Probably grew up watching them, It’s a good move for him not having to uproot and a Sensible move from them to get an experienced keeper on a free.

    Newcastle and Sunderland used to loan & sell each other players regularly and plenty of have served both clubs well down the years

    Don’t see the fuss

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  10. SHAMROCK don’t you see it m8 wor Stevie has infultrated the Scum too make sure they go down .its a brilliant move by a true Geordie 👿 👿 👿 😀 😉

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  11. Anybody else going to the game. Gonna be a long old day. Up at four and probably not home until after midnight. A victory would make it all worth while

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  12. Their form would suggest we have a chance but it’s away and we have a few injuries and we are not scoring all our chances so god only knows which way it’ll go.

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  13. I predict a 3 nil win ,Watford have been playing ***** for weeks now and with the creativity Shelvy brings and Wijnaldum playing in a free role the goals Will come . I reckon McClaren Will pull a surprise tomorrow and play Saivet on the left in a 352 formation ,Mbemba , colo and Lascelles Being the back 3 Saivet and JanMaat wing backs . Shelvey , sissoko Wijnaldum middle of the park Mitro and perez the front 2

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  14. I’d like to think we will win however this is the Toon we are talking about and our club has a habit of turning to sh%t just when we don’t expect it.

    The fact Watford have been rubbish recently is not a comfort either. In this league as soon a result is forecast as a dead cert, the underdog turns it on…

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  15. I think Riviere is a good player. He has terrific movement, and that’s something we need. Pity he hasn’t scored a few, but when one comes, many will follow.

    Think Perez is too green still. By all means start with him to keep the confidence going and to keep some continuity, but I wouldn’t rule out Riviere just yet.

    I think a 22(1)221 with a right flank overload and a left side defensive inversion might work for the players available (presuming no Dummett, and Saivet and Colback in the side).

    Hoping for win v Watford (you don’t say), and I really don’t want to again be forced to save the lads from relegation again by making a mercy dash to Blighty to give a team talk.

    And I agree with the sentiments (if not the words) of Oz @ 292 and 293.

    Had a good laugh at some of the comments. Some of you guys should be football pundits 😆 I never agree with those guys either. And some should go on Would I Lie To You.

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  16. McClaren tends to stick with winning teams so it will be last weeks starters and formation unless Dummett isn’t fit. Then it would be Saivet and Colback at leftback.

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  17. “I think Riviere is a good player. He has terrific movement, and that’s something we need. Pity he hasn’t scored a few, but when one comes, many will follow.”
    No No No
    he’s never been a great goal scorer. It’s always been about his contribution, his assists, his team work.
    He can score goals, but thats never been his number 1 role.
    He’s never been 1 up on his own. The main goal scorer.
    What a joke that NUFC should expect that from him. In the premier league. Pathetic really.
    The same goes for Mitro really.
    1 up top. pile of shyte.
    imho.
    well with our midfield over the last 5 years anyway.

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  18. lets face it and be honest, NUFC take a kid from overseas who has never been prolific and expect him to be prolific in the premier league.
    All on his own.
    what a fuggin joke
    .
    Its not the kids fault.
    No wonder he’s sick, injured, disheartened, home sick etc.

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  19. BB: You might note that I have 3 up top – but, true, one is uptopper than the other 2. Figured that would be Mitrovic not Riviere.

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  20. yes mate, 3 up top is still 3 up top, even if 1 is more up top or up topper than the others, but it is still more players in and around the opposition box, than 1 up top, just past the half way line, all on his own, with the remaining 9 players picking their arses in our own half.
    In fairness, super schteve does seem to be addressing that of late, but the question is, is it too late ?
    Mitro now feels the weight on his shoulders, and really should never have been put in that position in the first place.
    Seems to me the ‘board’ are now hoping he finds his scoring touch in the 2nd half of the season, now we are creating something of substance, and keeping their fingers crossed.
    Todays match will be a threshold I reckon.
    If we beat Watford, no problem.
    If we lose and fail to score, Berahino will be here within a few days.
    just my opinion like.

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  21. The fat controller has too much to lose right now. Added to, by his off field problems, both at Rangers and the trading floor. His greedy fat world is imploding on him rapidly.
    He doesn’t need another relegation to add to his woes.
    If schteve needs a goal scorer, then I for one reckon he will get one.

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  22. How much would you pay for Berahino?
    £15million at most – 29%
    £15m-£17m – 24%
    £17m-£19m – 20%
    £19m-£21m – 17%
    £21m-£23m – 4%
    Whatever WBA want – just get him – 4%
    £23m-£25m – 2%
    £25m-£30m – < 1%

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  23. Never mind a winger. Current circumstances again indicate we are in desparate need of defenders. Get a LB in as well as a striker then sort CB’s and a winger in the summer.

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  24. Shamrock, whole heartedly agree mate, that they haven’t addressed it is a scandal. But our defence has never seemed to be priority for many seasons now.

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  25. I can’t imagine Lascelles at LB. It would be like playing Steven Taylor there. I would instruct Janmaat to stay at home more and play Mbemba at LB and Lascelles in the centre. Aarons can play LB but I don’t know if he is match fit.

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  26. KIMTOON

    <<<<<<<<<<<<< has a theory why we never really buy defenders,forward players sell for more why we aint had a proper cb in years

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  27. Saylors bad positional sense means he normally ends up at left back when he is a centre half anyways… he will fit in nicely 😆

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  28. Kim and Sham.
    Agreed. Until Mbemba came in the summer, we were still chugging along with the CB pairing who lined up for us in the C’ship season of 2009-10. That’s 6 yrs between the start of that season and upgrading to compete in the Prem. It literally beggars belief.
    The addition of Mbemba has been a good one in my opinion, adapted very quickly and I suspect will only get better. If I had to choose, I’d probably opt for a left back in this window. It’s an area that needs addressing anyway, and the current injury situation pretty much demands it.
    Shame about Mbabu being injured, I’ve liked what I’ve seen of him.
    What about Aarons, is he fit yet? I could see him doing a job in the current system of wing backs as opposed to traditional full backs.

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  29. Will a win today influence our final week in the transfer market?..

    Either way, I’m going for another 2-1 win. If we can get these points on the board the teams directly above us aren’t too far ahead.

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  30. TAE – you’ve made the point that you don’t think Berahino is worth the money, but who do you fancy mate? – where do you think the priority is to strengthen?

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  31. Does McClaren not have a PR person? Why does he talk ****? He’s talking about Riviere and others coming back from injury being like new signings…

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  32. Please Stuart.. McLaren is obviously not talking in the literal sense.. is there anything that you can’t find something to complain about? 😳

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  33. We moan about our lot but a midfield of Milner, Henderson, Can, Ibe & Lucas…Jesus

    Just shows what a **** league this is when a side as bad as this Liverpool one are on the fringes of the european spots

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  34. The Klopp effect is yet to kick in at Liverpool. They look absolutely average.
    Henderson should never be mentioned in the same sentence as Gerrard in my opinion. Hilarious that they allowed Shelvey to leave for around £5m to bring in Henderson for around £20-25m.
    Liverpool have successfully put together the most expensive average squad in the league 😆

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  35. TAE – yeah I think Lacazette sees himself at a bigger club than us unfortunately. If he can’t get top 4 in England then I think he’d rather stay put. It would only be if they accepted a bid for him, but I think they are happy to keep him just now. The summer may see him arrive in England, but I don’t think it will be at Newcastle sadly.
    I agree Wilson looks a very good player, and he & Bmouth have been unfortunate to loose him to a bad injury. I reckon they would be up there with Watford on around 30pts already if they had him. I can’t see Bmouth letting him go, even if they went down (which I don’t think they will at all).

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  36. but i think hes injured and dint nar when hes back so id prob take remy on loan see us though til we can sign 1 of the 1st 2,

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  37. Good to see Batty actually read the article.. 😯 he might have picked up on the actual meaning of the headline! 😆

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